AARP Tax Aide — Seeking volunteers to prepare simple tax returns using a computer for seniors in Contra Costa County. AARP helps tax-payers with limited and moderate income, with special attention to those ages 60 and older. Also opportunities available for technology assistants, public relations, site supervisors and receptionists. Contact: LaVerne Gordon, 925-335-8749, laverneg1@juno.com.

Aging and Adult Services of Contra Costa County — Seeking volunteers for Medicare counselors to help seniors and disabled adults understand their consumer rights and evaluate their needs for insurance policies and medical health plans. Preservice training begins April 18 and will be held every Wednesday and Friday 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. through May 4. Information: Leah McIntosh, 925-335-8791.

American Cancer Society — Drivers needed for two to three hours each week, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., weekdays, to transport cancer patients to treatment. Spanish-speaking drivers are especially needed. Volunteers should have a valid driver’s license, insurance and a good driving record. 925-754-1987.

Arthritis Foundation, Northern California chapter — Arthritis information and referral services. Training is provided. Volunteers are needed to help with a variety of activities, such as public education forums, fund-raising events and correspondence or other projects in the office. 800-464-6240.

Contra Costa County Disaster Action Team — Seeking energetic, talented and reliable people to respond to single-family and other local disasters. Weekday or evening and weekend necessary. Must commit to on-call one week per two months. Training provided. Contact: Eva Marquez, 925-603-7426, http://www.bayarea-redcross.org.

Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team — For citizens interested in becoming members. Includes canine, equestrian, technical rescue, mountain bike and other specially trained resources. Team responds to missing person incidents, disasters and other critical incidents, and is on call 24 hours, seven days a week year-round. All required training provided, including wilderness traveling, first aid, map and compass, tracking, disaster response and search skills. Applications: 925-646-4461, http://www.contracostasar.org.

Contra Costa Seniors for Children — Seniors share their talents, skills and experiences with one student, one hour a week. Help elementary school children with academic and social needs. Training and placement provided. Contact: Cleo Day, 925-427-1123.

Diablo Respite Center — The center for middle-stage participants has four programs — three for those with early Alzheimer’s. Volunteers receive periodic training, which enables them to communicate better with participants, be aware of safety procedures and practice behavior modification, as well as deal with other pertinent issues. Contact: Joanne Osburn, 925-244-5447.

Diablo Valley AIDS Center — Delivery drivers needed for Tuesday and Thursday mornings and early afternoons. Deliver groceries to people who are homebound with HIV/AIDS. Participants may volunteer to be a weekly driver or to fill in for a driver. Contact: Jen Gowers, 925-686-3864.

East County Disaster Action Team — Needs volunteers to respond to single-family house fires, floods and other disasters. The team also assists in damage assessments and acts as family caseworkers. Full training is provided at no charge. 925-603-7426.

East County Historical Society — Seeking volunteers year round for the upkeep and maintenance of the farm, house, one room school, tool shed, antique cars and farm equipment. Museum is located at 3890 Sellers Ave. (Knightsen and Brentwood line). Dave and Joyce, 925-679-1014, Pat, 925-625-3553.

Families First Inc. — Shared Family Care Program. Become a mentor and help a family. Contact: Yolanda, 925-602-1750 or 925-603-6069.

John Muir Medical Center Docent Training Sessions — Volunteer as a docent at the John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek and serve as a teaching guide for the medical center. Learn detailed information about the facility and lead tours. Docents also give presentations at local schools and organizations. Volunteer Services Department. 925-947-5358.

John Muir Medical Center Concord Campus Volunteers — Opportunities in the medical center: lobby and surgery desks and dispatch service. Volunteers are trained in the area of their choice. Phillis Neitling: 925-674-2165; Muir Galleria Gift Shop has an opening for a treasurer/bookkeeper. Contact: Dorothy, 925-947-5269.

Lawrence Hall of Science — Seeking weekend volunteers who wish to learn more about science and science education. Science background not required. Applications are being accepted now. Volunteers may select their assignments from a variety of opportunities: special events and science activities for visitors, tours of exhibits, serving as “museum hosts,” computer lab programs for visitors and older adults, Lawrence Hall of Science Resource Room and planetarium shows. 510-643-5471.

Liberty High School Grad Night committee — Volunteers needed to help organize and plan a safe and sober graduation night environment for the 2007 graduating class. 925-516-7671, fourperos@sbcglobal.net.

Lindsay Wildlife Museum — Volunteer docents to teach children in their classrooms and help museum visitors learn about nature. 925-627-2944, http://www.wildlife-museum.org.

Martinez Celebrates Cycling — Is looking for volunteers to assist in set-up, registration, course marshals, runners and tear down for a Feb. 10 cycling event. Includes a 40-mile bike tour and a health fair. Information: 925-372-0642, noralea@sbcglobal.net.

Match-Two Prisoner Outreach — Seeking volunteers for visits one day a month. Volunteers are matched men with men and women with women. 707-553-1311.

Meals on Wheels, East County — Seeking volunteer drivers for approximately one hour for one day a week for delivery of meals to frail and lonely, homebound, disabled seniors in Antioch and Pittsburg. Contact: 925-937-8607. For Far East County: Brentwood, Bethel Island, Knightsen, Oakley, Byron, 1-866-669-6697

Muir Heritage Land Trust — Seeking volunteers available three to five hours per week for office help with mailings, filing and special projects. Also seeking volunteers to assist their Outreach Committee with event planning and preparation. 925-228-5460.

Musicians — Entertain at local convalescent hospitals in Martinez. Those who sing, dance or play an instrument, alone or as part of a group may call Deloris McDonald: 925-228-2970.

Newborn Connections — Need volunteers who are bilingual in Spanish and English to visit new mothers in their homes. Volunteers are trained to provide parenting skills, education and community resources to families with newborns. Contact: Mary Flott, 925-946-9961.

Ombudsman Services of Contra Costa County — Volunteers needed, must be: over the age of 21, have transportation and a genuine desire to help seniors. Visit residents in long-term care facilities and meet with residents, keep records of visits and help resolve complaints. Work approximately four hours per week on your own schedule at an assigned facility near your community. 925-685-2070, ccombudsman@yahoo.com or call.

Pacific Intercultural Exchange — Seeking outgoing, friendly, responsible and caring individuals who enjoy working with teens and families. Learn firsthand about another culture and establish friendships. Representatives match students with families. 800-894-7633.

The Volunteer Center of Contra Costa — Retired and Senior Volunteer Program is seeking people age 55 and older to help in local agencies in a wide range of areas including tutoring at neighborhood schools, delivering meals, providing companionship and information to frail elders and support services to nonprofit groups, etc. Volunteers choose when and where they serve and receive benefits, such as insurance and transportation reimbursement. Contact: Linda Groobin, 925-472-5771.

Story Readers — East Contra Costa Libraries Stories-to-Go, is seeking volunteers to read to children who have limited access to books and need to listen to stories read in English. Antioch Library, 501 W. 18th St. Contact: 925-757-9224. Brentwood Library, 925-634-4101, Oakley Library, 925-625-2400.

Sutter Delta Medical Center — Seeking volunteers for patient services, surgical services, emergency room and gift shop. Must be 18 and willing to make a one-year commitment, working one to three hour shifts. 925-756-1160.

Technology for Teens in Transition — Work one-on-one with “at-risk” youths in the Technology for Teens in Transition, an outreach program by the Contra Costa County Library and the Contra Costa County Probation Department. Volunteers help kids in Juvenile Hall for one or two hours a week to develop computer skills and provide access to information using the Internet. Contact: Susan Weaver, 925-927-3256, sweaver@ccclib.org.

Terra Lingua — Seeking volunteers to host English speaking Foreign Exchange Students from France, Germany, South Korea, Russia and Taiwan. Ages 15-18. Students have their own spending money and health insurance. 877-520-2522, http://www.TerraLinguaUSA.org.

Maybe it takes one of the world's most elitist institutions -- a monarchy, for goodness' sake -- to provide a view of Christianity rooted not in conservative cultural warfare (or unrelenting support for Donald Trump) but in an egalitarian love.